Extension
It Starts With Us
Emergency and Disaster Response
Disaster and Emergency Response
B. Sears, A. Sears, Darst, Reid, Hunley
Emergency Disaster Preparedness
Occurrences of weather-related and other disaster and emergency situations can have a devastating impact on Kentucky communities. Our communities need educational programming to enhance community readiness and recovery from impending disasters. Preparation, education, and collaboration will ensure that Extension Agents and Administrators are prepared to respond to local, regional, and state emergencies, with state and local partners, under the direction of the local emergency management director and plan.
• Increase collaborative working relationships between KY Extension and emergency management partner agencies.
• Minimize losses to agricultural operations, individuals, families, and communities as a result of natural disaster, pandemic, or other emergencies.
• Expedited recovery of agricultural operations, individuals, families, businesses, and communities after a natural disaster, pandemic, or emergency.
- Effective planning, assessment, and reporting of natural disasters/emergencies.
- Increase preparedness of agricultural operations, individuals, families, businesses, and communities for natural disaster, pandemic, or other emergencies.
- Increase knowledge and awareness of participants regarding emergency preparedness.
- Increase knowledge and awareness of Extension Agents of appropriate roles and mandates related to disaster reporting.
- Increase awareness of the role of Kentucky Extension by counties/cities and other partner agencies in dealing with natural disasters and emergency preparedness.
- Initiate networking between Extension agents, leaders and local emergency management officials.
Outcome: Number of people attending Disaster Preparedness programs
Indicator: Sign-in sheets
Method:
Timeline:
Outcome: Number of people preparing Disaster Kits for homes and businesses and implementing other best practices.
Indicator: Survey
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Local Officials
Activity: Networking
Content or Curriculum: County Emergency Management Plan
Date: TBD
Audience: Extension District Boards
Activity: Discuss and Pre-plan how local Extension Facilities can be utilized during a Disaster / Emergency.
Content or Curriculum:
Date: TBA
Activity: Community-based trainings on emergency preparedness and recovery
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension or Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) resources.
Date: TBA
Audience: Agents and Staff
Activity: Ensure office and agents personal computer data are safeguarded by utilizing cloud servers (eg. OneDrive/ TEAMS)
Content or Curriculum:
Date: TBA
Activity: Understand Local Emergency Management Plan and Extension’s expected response during an emergency situation.
Content or Curriculum:
Date: TBA
Activity: Utilize public service announcements, and news releases throughout the year to emphasize preparation for Severe Storms, Winter Weather, Floods, Fire, Drought, Extreme Temperatures and other pertinent subjects.
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension or Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) resources.
Date: TBA
Audience: First Responders
Activity: Grain bin rescue tube training
Content or curriculum: KDA and Extension
Date: TBA
Author: Brandon Sears
Major Program: Grains
Grain storage bins have been in use since their invention by Illinois farmer Fred Hatch who is thought to have constructed the first modern one in 1873. According to Purdue University’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department who has been documenting and investigating grain bin incidents since the 1970’s, in 2022, there were 83 incidents reported across the Mid-West with 24 of those being fatalities. In January of 2022, a farmer in Casey County Kentucky became trapped in a
